Surgery

Planning for Your Surgery

Preventing Infection

Preventing infections is of the utmost importance, and though infections rarely happen, there are things you can do to lower your risks. Since the skin is the most common source of infection, we offer these suggestions:

The night before surgery, take a shower using a new bar or liquid antibacterial soap (i.e. Dial). Wash and rinse thoroughly and put on clean clothes. On the morning of the surgery, repeat the process and again, put on clean clothes.

Do not apply lotions, creams or powders.

Do not shave the area where the surgery will be performed.

Keep your flu and pneumococcal vaccines current.

Urinary catheters may or may not be placed. Although they are convenient, catheters greatly increase the risk of urinary infection. The shorter the catheter is in place, the better.

Hand hygiene by you, your family and visitors is very important.

Don’t be afraid to remind all healthcare providers to wash or sanitize their hands before providing your care. It is OK and highly encouraged that you help remind us to wash or sanitize our hands.

Your care. Our inspiration.

Shortly after Ron and Kara Faber were married, Ron was diagnosed with cancer, a type that made planning a family difficult. But, Ron said, the excellent, caring treatment he received at the Morrison Cancer Center helped the Fabers embrace the future. Then, when Kara discovered she was pregnant, Mary Lanning was the first and only choice for…

Your care. Our inspiration.

When Hastings College music professor Dr. Robin Koozer was taken to Mary Lanning Healthcare, he didn’t realize he was suffering from the signs of stroke. But a few short months later, Koozer was back to making beautiful music. He attributes this to the quick action by the Mary Lanning Stroke Team.